Talking points go international in Prayer & Pizza laws debate

Kate Bopp, a spokesperson for the Mothers and Fathers Matter group, said she is in favour of the clause [a "religious freedom restoration"-style opt-out clause for businesses].

The group is advocating a no vote and is due to officially launch its campaign in the coming days.

An independent candidate for North Tipperary at the last general election, Ms Bopp said [Irish Prime Minister Enda] Kenny’s response was “a bit dismissive” of some people’s concerns, and that the issue comes down to “personal freedoms or liberties”.

Ms Bopp stressed the clause would not mean businesses would discriminate against gay couples, but would be allowed to “politely decline” custom focused solely on gay marriage.

“That’s a very important distinction. It’s not about someone being gay, it’s about gay marriage. It’s like going into a Muslim shop and asking them to make something out of bacon. It would be extremely offensive,” she said.

On February 1, Mike Huckabee, who holds a Murdoch grace-and-favor sinecure at Fox News in between presidential bids, said expecting Christians to accept same-sex marriage is "like asking someone who's Jewish to start serving bacon-wrapped shrimp in their deli."

Again it's a matter-- it's a matter of accommodation. Tolerance is a two-way street. If-- if you are a-- if you are a-- a print shop and you-- you are a-- a gay man, should you be forced to print "God Hates Fags" for the Westboro Baptist Church because they hold those signs up? Should you be forced to do-- should the government and this is really the case here. Should the government force you to do that? And that's what these cases are all about. This is about the government coming and say, no, we're going to make you do this. And this is where I think we just need some space to say, let's have some tolerance, have it be a two-way street.